NASHVILLE, TENN. – Thursday night was a test for the Lipscomb Bisons. Lipscomb entered the game riding a six-game winning streak, but was facing the league leading Jacksonville Dolphins who won by 16 in the teams’ first meeting in December

Shooting 60 percent from the field with six players scoring in double figures, the Bisons passed their test with a 92-82 victory while extending their winning streak to seven games.

“It was a very good team win against a very good basketball team,” Lipscomb head coach Scott Sanderson said.

Adnan Hodzic led Lipscomb with 22 points, including 18 in the second half. After missing five of his first six shots, Hodzic connected on six of his final eight shots. He also was a perfect eight-of-eight at the free throw line.

“He got deeper in the lane in the second half and we did a better job of getting him the ball,” Sanderson said. “He stepped up and made his free throws. I thought he played well.”

Lipscomb’s bench posted 33 points to give the Bisons an energy boost in a quick-paced game.

“Jacksonville plays 11 guys so we needed our bench to step up and they did,” Sanderson said of his bench that is averaging 35.3 points over the last four games.

Brian Wright came off the bench to score 12 on four 3-pointers. Jordan Burgason added 11 and Jimmy Oden had 10 off the bench.

Josh Slater delivered a strong performance with 15 points, five assists, four rebounds, and three steals. He was 9-of-11 from the free throw line.

“I thought he was solid,” Sanderson said. “He had some good drives to the basket and he had five assists and just one turnover.

“Our team tonight had very good balance. Jordan hit a couple threes in the second half to get us the 18-point lead. Brian Wright his some threes in the first half and Jimmy made his free throws down the stretch. It was a good team effort.”

Lipscomb took the 18-point lead on a 3-pointer by Jordan Burgason to go up 64-46 with 12:29 remaining in the game.

While the Bisons shot 70.6 in the second period, they were outpaced by Jacksonville over an 8:16 stretch when the Dolphins when on a 20-8 run to bring the game back to six with 4:13 left.

Lipscomb hit 16 consecutive free throws in the last four minutes to seal the game.

Ben Smith led Jacksonville with 19 points, five rebounds and five assists. Lehmon Colbert had 17 points and seven rebounds.

Lipscomb is 15-13, 11-8 in the Atlantic Sun. Jacksonville drops to 16-12, 14-5 in the A-Sun.

The Bisons play their final regular season game Saturday at 2:15 p.m. when they host North Florida on Senior Day. Guard Michael Lusk, forward Thomas Pfaff, and student assistant Ryan Daly will be honored before the game.

“Mike Lusk and Thomas Pfaff have been great kids for us both on and off the floor,” Sanderson said. “They are good leaders and we will miss both of them.”